Can miracles happen...

1 win and 6 losses... This is the record of wins and losses in the 7 league matches since October. At the end of September, the point difference with the 3rd place was "12", and we were cruising at the top, making it seem like 'J1 promotion' was just around the corner. However, 'J1' was not that easy. Just as Kawasaki Frontale struggled for the past two years, and as Sapporo has been struggling this year, we were tormented by the invisible monster called 'pressure'... We lost crucial matches where we needed to win 'just one more', and finally relinquished the 2nd place we had managed to hold onto to Oita in the last match. There is only one seat left for 'J1 promotion', and we have lost our chance for automatic promotion. For Tokyo to be promoted, Oita must lose or draw in the match happening at the same time, and Tokyo had no choice but to win. Whether we cried or laughed, this day was the last game, and the opponent was Niigata, whom we had lost to in all three previous matches this season. The situation was certainly not good, but last year, Tokyo Gas FC secured the 'miraculous comeback championship' in the last game against Niigata, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of fate. For the approximately 500 strong supporters who rushed all the way to Niigata, I wanted to fight with all my might without giving up until the last moment and give them the best present.

Tokyo's passion overwhelms Niigata!

The large cheering squad that rushed in from Tokyo was overwhelming the opponents even before the match started. The variety, volume, and quality of their songs and chants surpassed that of the home team, making it hard to feel that this was an away game. The Tokyo eleven responded to that passionate 'spirit' by starting the match with intense energy. As usual, Tokyo initiated their attack from the right side with Yukihiko, and in the first minute, a cross from Yukihiko was met with a jumping header from Okuhara. Unfortunately, it went just over the bar, but from the subsequent corner kick from the left, Kagawa made a diving header! This also missed, but Tokyo's fierce offensive onslaught had begun. Tokyo primarily built their attacks from the sides, and when the center became congested, they would return the ball to Asari and Almir to switch it to the opposite side. From the right side, DF Umeyama and MF Yukihiko created a superb combination, and Yukihiko broke through with individual skill, while from the left side, MF Okuhara made timely runs with abundant stamina to create chances. FW Amaral struggled to play as he was heavily marked by Niigata DF Sergio, but with the stable hold-up play from central MF Kagawa, Tokyo was able to circulate the ball rhythmically. On the other hand, Niigata is known for their rhythmic attacks with short passes from the center, but on this day, Tokyo applied persistent pressure from the front, leading to a monotonous attack of long clearances when passing lanes were cut off. Occasionally, Ricardo in the midfield would keep the ball with individual skill and deliver timely balls to the sharply overlapping wings, but they could not break through the stable defensive line centered around holding midfielder Asari and DF Sandro and Komine.

Kagami scores the long-awaited opening goal!

The game progressed at a Tokyo pace, and in the 31st minute, Tokyo finally scored the long-awaited opening goal. DF Umayama dribbled past on the right side and continued to run forward, passing it to Yukihiko in front. Without holding the ball, Yukihiko passed it back to Kensuke in the center, and Kensuke controlled it with his back to the goal and took a shot with his left foot in one motion! It was a splendid goal, and Tokyo finally scored their first goal of the season from Niigata.

Niigata, which allowed the first goal in Tokyo, is shaken. Niigata's attack is still monotonous, and although the passes are connected in the midfield, they cannot bring it to a finish. Tokyo's press was strong and perfect, not giving Niigata any chance to take advantage.

After finishing the first half at 1-0, Tokyo's attacks intensified in the second half. Fujiyama, who had been cautious about the opponent's full-backs joining the attack in the first half, started to move in the second half. In the 8th minute, Fujiyama advanced down the left side with his signature dribbling and delivered a superb through pass to Okuhara at the front line. When Okuhara accurately crossed the ball to the center, Amaral made a perfect run for a header! But he slipped and missed a great scoring opportunity. In the following 10th minute, Fujiyama aggressively dribbled into the goal area and took a shot, but it didn't go in. Immediately after, on the right side, Yukihiko broke through with a one-two with Umeyama, delivering an exquisite cross. However, Amaral also missed this chance, and they just couldn't secure an additional goal. Conversely, Niigata brought in forward Sauro in the 14th minute, and their attack began to gain rhythm. Sauro, who entered on the left side, became a focal point with his ball retention and created chances in combination with Ricardo. In the 28th minute, Sauro dribbled in front of the goal and kept the ball, forcing Tokyo's defense to commit a foul. When Ricardo aimed and shot from this direct free kick, the ball sharply curved and hit the crossbar. It was a nerve-wracking moment for Tokyo, who could not afford to draw.

After a complete victory over Niigata, a miracle awaits Tokyo as they await their destiny...

Time passed by moment by moment, and the desperate offensive and defensive battle between the two teams continued. Tokyo, who wants to seize their first victory of the season from Niigata and entrust their hopes of "J1 promotion", clashed with Niigata, who is determined to achieve victory at their final home game no matter what.

At the same time, there was information that 2nd place Oita had taken the lead from their opponent Yamagata. Oita was in a highly advantageous situation with a home game, and it would have been impossible to expect to catch up with Yamagata if they were to concede an additional goal. The Tokyo players were unaware of this situation, but coach Kiyoshi OKUMA was being updated on the situation regularly. Conceding a goal would be a fatal blow for Tokyo, and if Oita were to score an additional goal, all hope would be lost. In any case, Tokyo's priority was to win against Niigata in the immediate future.

14:57, there were some dangerous moments towards the end of the game, but it's time up and Tokyo managed to secure a victory against their arch-rivals Niigata. However, there were no satisfied smiles on the faces of the players, staff, and fans. This was because there was information that Oita had maintained a 1-0 lead and entered into injury time. In terms of the situation, it was 99% certain that Oita would win, which meant that Tokyo's promotion to J1 would not be realized. But in the next moment, something unbelievable happened. Oita was equalized in the final moments of the game. "No way..." Tokyo personnel felt a "miraculous premonition". And immediately after that, it was reported that Oita had entered into extra time. However, no one was celebrating just yet. From here, "the longest 30 minutes of the year" awaited.

At this point, for Tokyo to achieve 'J1 promotion', it was necessary for Oita to lose in extra time or draw. Time passed heavily and slowly. The players took showers in the locker room, and the staff worked on exchanging information with the press. The fans remained silent, not moving an inch. At 15:13, news came in that the first half of extra time ended in a draw. With 15 minutes left, it felt like we were praying to the gods. Time was slow, but it was steadily and surely ticking away. At 15:30, with one minute remaining, just a little more. In the next moment, the venue shook with cheers that sounded like shouts of 'Yay!' and 'Woo!' from the stands. Oita had exhausted their strength, and news came in that they had drawn. It was not a dream; it had really happened! We had grasped 'J1'. The players burst out of the locker room with triumphant roars and flowed onto the field. From the opposite side, fans jumped over the fence and rushed out. Some were crying, some were laughing, and players, staff, and fans embraced each other in a mix of joy. It didn't matter who it was. We wanted to embrace and share the joy. I don't remember much of what happened after that, but I was just so happy. Throughout this season, in all 36 league matches, 8 Nabisco Cup matches, we had moved forward without looking back since the J2 kickoff on March 14. It is often said that 'sports are a drama without a script.' Who could have written the script for FC Tokyo's 'Road to J1'? The experience of the 'drama without a script' called 'Heaven and Earth' since October will surely be beneficial in the years to come.

However, this year is not over yet. One week later, the "Emperor's Cup" will begin, which will be the first time for FC Tokyo to participate. Let's switch our mindset, give our all, and continue to build a new history.